BOOK FUN MAGAZINE - FREE READ

ABOUT AUTHOR: Dina
Sleiman writes stories of passion and grace. Most of the time you will find
this Virginia Beach resident reading, biking, dancing, or hanging out with her
husband and three children, preferably at the oceanfront. Since finishing her
Professional Writing MA in 1994, she has enjoyed many opportunities to teach
literature, writing, and the arts. Her debut novel, Dance of the
Dandelion with Whitefire Publishing, won an Honorable Mention in the 2012
Selah Awards. Also look for her novels, Love in Three-Quarter
Time, Dance from Deep Within, and her Valiant Hearts series
coming with Bethany House Publishers in 2015. Dina serves as an acquisitions
editor for WhiteFire Publishing as well, and she loves to teach at writers
conferences throughout the US. For more info visit her at her primary website http://dinasleiman.com/

How did you come up
with the idea for Dauntless?

Years ago an editor suggested that I try writing a YA
medieval romance series. I was certainly open to this idea, but I didn't have
any clear direction. It wasn't until I was in the midst of watching the BBC
Robin Hood series with my son that a concept finally sparked to life in my
mind. The series featured a number of strong, feisty women. Maid Marian was a
thief and defender of the poor in her own right. The Saracen character, Djaq,
was also a woman—not to mention plenty of tough female bad guys. One day as I
was walking and praying specifically about a YA medieval series, this new Robin
Hood came to mind, the ideas started flowing, and before long Dauntless was playing like a movie
in my mind. Thus my Valiant Hearts series, featuring strong young medieval
women in legendary male roles, was born.

Nora: I like your
feisty Maid Marian character!

What do you hope
readers take away from Dauntless?

Dauntless is very
much a story of hope and restoration. Each of the main characters is looking
for meaning and a sense of personal destiny in the tragic world surrounding
them. In addition, they are all grappling with the idea of civil disobedience
and how one should respond when faced with an unjust government, which I think
is an excellent topic for young adult literature. I hope that the book will
help readers to desire a deeper reliance upon God and a greater sense of intimacy
with Him. My theme for the Valiant Hearts series as a whole is “Be Strong and
Courageous.” I want to empower young women to boldly pursue their God-given
destinies, wherever that might take them. I recently learned that the Jewish
translation of “virtuous woman” in Psalm 31 is actually “woman of valor.” That
is what I want for my readers: for them to become women of valor!

Nora: Very cool!
I like that message, “Be Strong and Courageous – a Woman of Valor! I’m hearing
this message everywhere I turn lately!

What was your favorite
scene in Dauntless? Which was the
most fun to write? Which was the hardest? Why?

My favorite scene
in Dauntless is the prologue. It’s
very exciting and action-packed, and unlike the rest of the book, I wrote it in
first person/present tense to add to the energy level. This was the scene that
popped to life in my mind and sparked the entire book. In general, my favorite
scenes to write were the ones that included acrobatic elements. Those were so
much fun. I love to write kinesthetic sorts of scenes, and they brought back my
own love of gymnastics from childhood. The
hardest scene was a very special one that depicts a miraculous situation. I
really wanted to hit just the right note with it, and I spent a lot of time
trying to get it perfect.

Nora: It was a
high energy read! Fun!

What four words or
what phrase would best describe you?

Creative, Introspective, Spiritual, Earthy

What surprised you
and/or fascinated you in your research for this book?

When I first decided to put females in legendary male roles,
I thought I would really be pushing the historical boundaries. Not so! The more
I researched, the more I found lots of wonderful stories of sassy, spunky
medieval women. For example, Eleanor of Aquitaine was the mother of the evil
King John of my book. In addition to being a queen, she was a ruler of her own
duchies and she led a crusade to the Holy Land. She was involved in all sorts
of crazy political machinations. I also found a story of a young noblewoman who
kidnapped a handsome knight and forced him to marry her. LOL. Many noblewomen
learned to fight with swords and daggers and hunt with bows and arrows. They
were often left to run their castles and protect their regions when husbands
were off to war.

Nora: Thanks for
sharing this. Fun!

Can you give us a
sneak peek into what you are working on now? When will it be out?

Book 2, Chivalrous, will come out in September 2015. Prepare
to meet Gwendolyn Barnes, a spirited young noble woman who longs to be a knight
like her brothers. But such cannot be her fate, even in the Camelot-inspired
Eden where she dwells. Gwendolyn’s harsh father sees her as little more than a
marriage pawn and is determined to wed her to a tough man who will tame her
wild ways. This story plays with several Arthurian legends, taking a peek at
the world of tournaments, chivalry, and courtly love while also turning the
Lancelot and Guinevere story upside down. It follows one of the main characters
from Dauntless as he sets off to
North Britannia in search of his destiny. And it delves even deeper into what
it means to be a female, an issue very close to the heart of every teenage
girl, and to women in general.

Nora: Look
forward to meeting Gwendolyn Barnes!

What fascinates you
about the time period you wrote about?

I feel there is much about the medieval time period that
speaks to modern readers. It was a gritty and edgy time, full of action and
adventure. Women of the middle ages were feisty and strong. This time also
provides an opportunity to examine faith issues from a different perspective.
Everyone was Christian, yet being a Christian meant little. I fell in love with
the hidden bastions of true Christianity found in the convents and monasteries
of that time despite the corruption in the church as a whole. I think young
people today are looking for the sort of vibrant, authentic, and intimate
relationships with God that can be seen in some of the great saints of that
period.

Nora: This is
interesting. Thanks for sharing!

What movie affected
most you when you were young? If you didn't watch movies what books affected you most?

As a child, I was very committed to watching the weekly
“Shirley Temple Theater.” I loved the singing and the dancing and Shirley’s spunky
attitude. Little House on the Prairie was another favorite, both the books
and the television series. Again, a spunky heroine, which is something that’s
important to me as a writer.

My Family

Nora: I did like
Little House!

You are shipwrecked
on an uninhabited tropical island with a group of Christians – all friends and
relatives of yours. You all have to work as a team to survive. Many roles have
to be filled. Which role do you think you’d play?

I’m usually the mediator. At my house, I call myself the
“universal translator.” My function is to help others communicate and to
promote peace and unity. I am also an encourager and good at delegating
responsibilities. Sometimes due to all those factors, I end up rising into
leadership positions, but I’m happiest supporting a strong leader.

Nora: Peace and
unity are beautiful things. Being an encourager is great too!

A friend of yours has
a time machine and they will let you use if for a while. Where would you go and
what would you do?

You know, this might sound weird for a historical writer,
but I’m not sure I would want to use it at all. Life throughout history was
really rough. Women were oppressed and victimized in many cultures. There was
disease and famine and death. No electricity, no running water unless you lived
in a castle or palace. People were dirty and stinky much of the time. And don’t
even get me started on messing with timelines and the disasters that could
cause! Maybe I would just take a quick unobtrusive visit to the Middle Ages to
get a bird’s eye view of what life was really like.

Nora: LOL!! So
True! So True!

Out of all the sounds
in the world which are your favorite?

I love the crashing of waves. Although I grew up landlocked,
it was always my dream to live near the ocean. I’m now a quick twenty-five
minute drive from the sound I love the most.

We all live busy
lives and all of us are in different seasons of life; that as a given what part
of your day requires the most patience from you to get through? Causes you to
pray the most?

I’m pretty laid back, so it takes a lot to test my patience,
although when I had little children that was hard on me. Now I’m raising teens
and young adults, which suits my personality really well. And I don’t work
outside of the home, so honestly, my patience hasn't been tested too much
lately. As for what I pray about the most, it’s definitely finances. We have
one child in college and another entering in the fall, and it was really our dream
offer them the full “go-away-to-college” experience. To make matters more
challenging, my husband’s income has gone down recently. But I’m starting to
earn a little with my writing, which is a blessing. We’re still learning
exactly what it means to trust God with the financial area of our lives.

Nora: Me too!

DINA, ANY FINAL
COMMENTS FOR READERS?

My goal for this Valiant Hearts series is really to inspire
young Christian woman to be all that God has called them to be. I feel like too
often girls within the church are given mixed messages. Something like, “You
can be whatever you want to be, but you should be…” (insert small box of your
denominational choosing.) I want to empower them to think outside of the box and
reach for their full potential in Christ.

Dina

To learn more about this author and her books go to her website http://awesomeinspirationals.blogspot.com/p/who-is-dina.html

Nora: Thanks Dina
for that word. I agree with you that reaching their full potential is
important. Thanks for stopping by and helping us get to know you and your
books.

I’m thrilled about the Giveaway Opportunity at TBCN started the 20th of
MARCH at www.bookfun.org .

Looking
forward to it to reading the participation between you and readers! It’s always
so much fun! Everyone has to be a member of TBCN in order to participate. It’s
Free and easy. Participate as your schedule allows.

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